What Year One Taught Me About Leading with Vision (and Letting Go of Perfect)

Whew. Academic year one of teaching pre-service ag teachers is almost officially in the books, and I’ve got to tell you—it was a ride. A humbling, heart-stretching, brain-bending, soul-reviving ride.

When I was hired to rebuild the Ag Ed program at my alma mater, I wasn’t scared. I’ve built things before—a middle school ag program from scratch, greenhouse training programs in the corporate world, two small businesses—you name it. Honestly? I love the building process. Give me a messy foundation and a little bit of wiggle room, and I’ll blueprint my heart out.

But here’s what hit differently this time: I wasn't just building a program—I was shaping future ag teachers. Real humans who are going to step into classrooms, lead FFA chapters, build community partnerships, and impact generations. No pressure, right?

At the start of the year, I came in with big, shiny, color-coded goals. And then… reality. You know, the kind that whispers, “This might not all happen by May.” So, I did something I never would’ve done ten years ago—I pivoted. I reassessed. I recalibrated.

And here’s the truth: I didn’t learn how to recalibrate, prioritize, or build long-term, sustainable systems until after I left the classroom and stepped into the corporate world.

In the classroom, I was always going a million miles a minute. There was no such thing as an "off-season"—just overlapping chaos. But when I started leading training programs in a business setting, I finally experienced what it was like to strategically plan, slow down intentionally, and focus on high-level growth instead of being buried in the day-to-day.

That shift? It changed everything.

Now, as I build this teacher prep program, I’m bringing that mindset with me. I don’t want to teach my future ag teachers to run themselves into the ground. I want to teach them to build sustainable programs like a CEO builds a business—with a clear vision, strong systems, and enough perspective to lead instead of just survive.

Because the truth is, you can’t see the forest if you’re buried in the trees. You can’t respond to opportunities—or threats—if you're stuck in the weeds. And you absolutely can't lead your students, chapter, or community if you’ve got nothing left in your tank.

This is why I created the Rooted in the Classroom Membership and our new Monthly Professional Development Challenges—and they’re not like the typical ag teacher PD.

Each monthly challenge is business-minded and teacher-tested. You’ll get clear strategies to help you build your program like a boss—without burning out. You’ll learn to think long-term, operate like a leader, and breathe again. And the best part? These skills aren’t just for your classroom. If you ever step out of teaching (like I did), these strategies and this community will still serve you. Because you are more than your job title.

So, if you’ve ever:

• Felt like you’re drowning in tasks with no real direction

• Wished there was a way to grow your program and protect your peace

• Wondered what happens if you do leave the classroom one day…

  
  

…I built this for you.

Let’s stop doing PD that just adds more to your plate. Let’s start doing PD that helps you lead with purpose, plan with vision, and live with balance.

Join the Rooted in the Classroom Membership here. Let’s build something that lasts—and doesn’t break us in the process.

Rooting for you (always),